Pastor's Pen

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Giving From The Heart

Much of Jesus' teaching concerned the area of giving, for it deals with one of the basic issues of heart-motivation. Having a proper attitude as a foundation, Jesus emphasised that: We must choose between earthly and heavenly wealth "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Luke 12:33-34 (see also verses 16-21; 16:13-15; Matthew 6:19-21; 19:16-24). We should not give for the sake of reward:"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" Matthew 6:2-3.Our giving pleases God only when it is genuine: "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything ...'" Mark 12:41-44. Our giving determines our receiving:"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" Luke 6:38 (see also Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24-25).Jesus constantly stressed that the motive behind the giving was far more important than the actual amount given. He pointed out that there are eternal rewards in heaven, but that if we give with the motive of getting back - either in praise or increase in riches, here or in eternity - we are still expressing nothing more than the character of the world. The lifestyle of giving in God's kingdom is selfless. The act of blessing others is reward enough. Giving was the proof of their love
"At the present time your plenty will supply what they need...Therefore show these men the proof of your love..." 2 Corinthians 8:14,24 (see also verses 7-15; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 1 John 3:17-18).

THE PRACTICE OF THE EARLY CHURCH

All believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need...No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had" Acts 2:44-45 and 4:32.
This basic attitude amongst the early Christians laid the foundation for every practical expression of giving that was later to come - that everything ultimately belongs to God. The Church supported the needy: Special men were chosen to serve as "deacons" - helpers in the distribution of offerings and gifts for the widows and needy (see Acts 6:1-3). These men made it their ministry to channel all the giving to where there was practical need. Churches gave sacrificially to one another:
"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints" 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. The Philippian Church supported travelling ministries:
The Apostle Paul was travelling from place to place establishing new churches. On some occasions he worked with his hands to provide his own support (Acts 18:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9), but on other occasions he had to look to God in faith. The Philippian Church showed the true spirit of giving which God commends, by supporting travelling ministries such as Paul (Philippians 4:15-18).
Christians worked to give:"He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need" Ephesians 4:28.
Giving was the proof of their love
"At the present time your plenty will supply what they need...Therefore show these men the proof of your love..." 2 Corinthians 8:14,24 (see also verses 7-15; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 1 John 3:17-18).

HOW GOD WANTS US TO APPROACH GIVING

Willingly (2 Corinthians 8:12; Acts 20:35).
Generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Secretly (Matthew 6:1-4).

Like Jesus (Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 2:5-8). We are responsible to our local church family in our giving (1 Corinthians 16:2). Our regular giving will bring about supply for the needs of:
The shepherds over us (Galatians 6:6).
Travelling ministries (1 Corinthians9:6-12;Luke 10:7).
The needy within the church (Acts 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:3-16).
Five dimensions of giving are mentioned in the Scripture:
Hospitality (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:1-3; 1 Peter 4:9).
Alms (Proverbs 22:9; Matthew 6:1-4).
Tithes (Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Malachi 3:8-12).
Offerings (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
Sacrificial giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-4; Philippians 4:15-18).
A "tithe" is the separating of one-tenth of a believer's income to give to God's work - this already belongs to God. Offerings come after tithing - the giving of surplus toward a need in the church family. Finally comes sacrificial giving - this is the highest expression of giving because now it hurts the pocket. It was in the context of sacrificial giving the Philippian Church discovered a marvellous truth: God is our source!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19 (see also 1 Timothy 6:17, Hebrews 13:5-6).

Disciples of Christ Are Called to Discipline

The Purposes of Church Discipline:
(1) To bring glory to God and enhance the testimony of the flock.
(2) To restore, heal, and build up sinning believers (Matt. 18:15; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Heb. 12:10-13; Gal. 6:1-2; Jam. 5:20).
(3) To produce a healthy faith, one sound in doctrine (Tit. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:19-20).
(4) To win a soul to Christ, if the sinning person is only a professing Christian (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
(5) To silence false teachers and their influence in the church (Tit. 1:10-11).
(6) To set an example for the rest of the body and promote godly fear (1 Tim. 5:20).
(7) To protect the church against the destructive consequences that occur when churches fail to carry out church discipline. A church that fails to exercise discipline experiences four losses:

The Loss of Purity:
Church discipline is vital to the purity of the local body and its protection from moral decay and impure doctrinal influences. Why? Because a little leaven leavens the entire lump (1 Cor. 5:6-7). This is the rotten apple problem or the snowball effect.

An illustration of this is the Corinthian church which showed a lack of concern for purity. They neglected the responsibility to discipline and suffered as a result. Their insensitivity to one moral issue may have led to their compromise on other issues. Laney writes, The Corinthians engaged in lawsuits, misused their liberty, profaned the Lord's Supper, neglected the primacy of love, failed to regulate the use of their gifts, and questioned the resurrection. Failure in church discipline in Corinth could be compared to a snowball tumbling downhill.

The Loss of Power:
Sin in the life of the church grieves the person of the Holy Spirit and quenches His power. If sin remains unchecked by the loving application of church discipline in a body of believers, the Holy Spirit must abandon such a church to its own carnal resources. The unavoidable result will be the loss of the Lord's blessing until the sin is dealt with.

The defeat of Israel because of the sin of Achan in Joshua 7 illustrates the principle. This is just as true for the church today, especially when we know certain things exist but ignore them or simply look the other way because it is difficult to deal with or because it involves one of our friends and we do not want to risk causing problems in the relationship.

The Loss of Progress:
A church that refuses to practice church discipline will see its ministry decline. The church may want to grow and reach out and it may try all kinds of stop gap measures, promotional campaigns, and programs in an attempt to turn things around, but if there is sin in the camp, it will all be to no avail. See Revelation 2:5 and 3:16 for illustrations of this principle.

The Loss of Purpose:
As His ambassadors to a lost and dying world, God has called the church to be a holy people, a people who, standing out as distinct from the world, proclaim the excellencies of the works of God in Christ (1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2:9-15). If this is to occur, we must be different from the world and church discipline helps us to both remember and maintain that purpose. One of the recurring judgments against the church today as demonstrated in various polls taken across the country is the fact there is little or no difference between the church and the secular world when it comes to attitudes, values, morals, and lifestyle. We have lost our sense of purpose.

ALCCC Guidelines For Church Discipline:
"Church Discipline" is a term that has been used to describe the corporate bodys loving involvement in the personal lives of believers who are struggling with sin. This always should be done with an attitude of deep humility and gentleness with a goal that the person would repent and be restored to fellowship. Though church discipline is often on a private level between two believers, the pastors, elders and deacons in the ALCCC have the responsibility and authority to ensure that the biblical guidelines are followed. Prayer and the person and work of the Holy Spirit are crucial in the church discipline process. It is only through His working that anyone will turn from their sin, which is always the goal of church discipline.

Offenses worthy of church discipline:
1. Matters of personal conduct & lifestyle:
Lying to and testing the Holy spirit, hypocrisy (Acts 5:1-11)
Sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness, swindling (1 Cor. 5:1-13)
Idleness, busybodies (1 Thes.5:14, 2 Thes. 3:6, 11-13)
2.Unresolved interpersonal issues (Matt. 18:17).
3.Matters of church conduct
Divisiveness, upsetting the faith of some (Romans 16:17-18, Titus 3:9-11)
Hypocrisy, leading others astray (Galatians 2:11-14).
False teaching (Titus 1:10-16, Rev. 2:14-16; 2 John 9-11).
Insubordination (Titus 1:10-11, 16)
Blasphemy (1Timothy 1:20).
4.Matters of belief, doctrine (James 5:19-20, Rev. 2:2,20)
5.Sin in general: disobedience to Scripture (Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Thess. 3:6, 11-15, James 5:19-20).

Practices for church discipline and restoration
The primary goal in any church discipline is to "turn him back" (James 5:19-20) and bring the person to repentance so that he/she can be restored to the body.
Principle: The kind, length and severity of the discipline depend on the nature and circumstances of the sin.

Level 1
Sin: A momentary, uncharacteristic lapse into sin where there is genuine grief and repentance.
Response: Gentle restoration at the point of repentance.
Gal. 6:1"Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you to be tempted."

Level 2
Sin: More blatant sin (willful disobedience) or over a longer duration, or unclear repentance.
Response: Warning, rebuke, correction
1.Reprove in private . . . if no repentance proceed with step two (Matt.18:15).
2.Bring along a witness . . . if no repentance proceed with step three (Matt. 18:16).
3.Tell it to the church . . . if no repentance proceed with step four (Matt. 18:17).
4.Ostracize the person from the fellowship of the body (Matt. 18:17).
Level 3
Sin: Severe sin on a long-term basis and no repentance
Response:
1.Judgment (1 Cor. 5:3).
2.Corporate grief (1 Cor. 5:1-2).
3.Expulsion, excommunication from fellowship (Matt. 18:17; Rom. 16:17, 1 Cor. 5:2, 11-13, 2 Thess. 3:6, 11-15, Titus 3:10-11, 2 John 9-11).
4.In some instances, delivering to Satan to do what he wants in their life (1 Cor. 5:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:20).
5.Forgiveness, comfort, love when repentance is demonstrated (2 Cor. 2:6-8).
6.Restoration to appropriate ministry after a significant pattern of obedience has been established (Luke 16:10).
Discipline of an Elder
The whole church must be made aware of an elders blatant sin because he has been disqualified from being an overseer.
1 Tim. 5:19-20 "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all."

Pastor Crane E-mail